SPCT plans go deep

Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT) has officially opened its gates after three years of construction. Located near Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, it is part of the area’s push outwards away from the congested inner city, where a number of smaller port operations are closing.

SPCT's recent ribbon cutting ceremony After the ribbon-cutting ceremony Dr Mark Yong of BMT Asia told PS that, “the challenge for the port now is its depth.”

At the moment it can handle 2,000 teu ships, placing itself as a feeder port for mid-sized vessels. However, major dredging work is planned: by the end of 2010 ships of 5,000 teu should be able to come in, and by 2015 the capability should reach 8,000 teu with a 12 metre dredge.

The DP World operated facility sits on the western shore of the Soai Rap River on 23 hectares in the Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park. It began operations in October 2009, just two years after construction began in September 2007, and the port already has five lines calling into them on a regular basis, including MISC, CMA-CGM, Gemadept, MCC and ZIM.

However, the opening comes just after the slump and possibly before the rise, “so the challenge is how to stay ahead of the game with so many deep sea ports springing up nearby” adds Dr Yong.

The project is a joint venture by DP World and a state owned company, and does have the hinterland connections growing rapidly around it. Although no rail as yet, quite a few roads have sprung up in a short time, “There’s been a fast pace to the development” says Dr Yong. “This area south of Ho Chi Minh has the city itself, but also could capture a large part of the market for the Mekong Delta region.”

One aspect to the throughput is seafood, so the port expects to be handling a number of chilled reefer boxes. One nearby logistics company with this capability is in operation already, with one other cool storage operation expected to start shortly.

Source: Port Strategy